Speech #660144077

With judges to preside over them who recognize the grave responsibility borne by them in admitting to the high privilege. of American citizenship those who are only prepared to undertake the obligations and duties which go with it. Investigation shows that few judges have the time or patience to give this work the attention which it deserves. I know of no greater function which has been bestowed upon the courts than the power of conferring American citizenship upon the foreign born. In the city of New York. with its 6.000.000 of inhabitants. relief can only be obtained by the creation of a naturalization court. over which presides a judge who should devote himself exclusively to thatline of work. the same as judges have become specialists in childrens. matrimonial. and traffic court work. At the time when the oath of allegiance is administered it should be an occasion Of serious reflection and understanding by the new citizen. who is about to receive the great privilege of being protected by our country- whether at home or abroad. The manner in! which it is administered now brings shame and humiliation to the faces of those who are interested in upholding the high traditions of American citizenship. It is true that the applicant for citizenship and his witnesses are thoroughly examined by the naturalization examiners. but the scene in court when these cases are passed upon must convince every thinking patriot that a change must be made. Recehtly 149 citizens were. made in less than one hours time in one courtroom in the city of New Yorjk before one judge No one would pretend for one moment that these 149 had a clear understanding of what was being done at the time they werei" taking the oath. At least 300 other persons who were their witnesses were present in the courtroom. which could not conveniently hold 150. The oath was administered to all who had come from one particular country. and then those who would come from another country took it. The justice who presided exerted himself in every possible .way to make it as dignified as he could under the circumstances. but on account of the numerous other matters requiring his prompt consideration he had to do it in haste. There is no reason why the Government of the United States should be making a profit of over $800.000 on the naturalization of aliens and a profit of over $10.000.000 on the immigrants ivho have arrived here above all appropriations made for both the Naturalization and Immigration Services. Americanism means the understanding and comprehension of the principles upon which our Government is founded. and allegiance to our country at all times. It might be of great aid to have every young man and woman who reaches the age of 21. even though native born. to take the oath of. allegiance and thus impress him or her with the responsibilities and privileges of American citizenship.. The late Col. Roosevelt on November 26. 1917. wrote: It seems to me that such an oath mJglit very well be. demanded of every man before he is allowed to vote whetlier we are at war or not. Let us realize that the immigrant has helped to make this country grander and greater until it has grown to be a mighty Republic of 110.000.000 people. He has worked the mines and built the subways. He has laid the tracks and done Americas rough work. He has contributed much to her achievements and accomplishments. Let us be fair to him and in return let us all. whether native. or foreign born. pledge ourselves to rid this country of the deluded and foolish agitators. Let us each take stock of ourselves and resolve to preach real Americanism daily until all over this country the chorus of love of our flag and institutions will forever drown and eradicate the scoundrels who lift their voices against our Government. whether in or out of public office.